Summer Fun in Ohio: 31 Ways to Enjoy August

8/1: Join nearly 2,000 participants in kayaks, canoes and paddleboards as they navigate a portion of the Ohio River during Ohio River Paddlefest. Those interested can sign up for a 4.5- or 9-mile paddle to take in the natural scenery near Cincinnati and join in a shared love of the outdoors. ohioriverpaddlefest.org

8/2: The spirit of the Emerald Isle is alive and well in Dublin, Ohio, during the Dublin Irish Festival. This three-day celebration honors Irish culture and tradition through authentic music and dancers, as well as over 50 food vendors and 70 arts vendors. July 31–Aug. 1. dublinirishfestival.org

8/3: Visit Cincinnati’s Winton Woods for Growing in the Garden. This recurring monthly event teaches children ages 2 through 6 about what grows in the farm’s garden and invites them to participate in planting seeds, watering plants, harvesting vegetables and joining in a storybook reading. greatparks.org

8/4: Nearly 500 years ago, herds of bison roamed Ohio. Today, you can see these creatures grazing in two different pastures during a visit to the 7,358-acre Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, where you can also explore forests,
prairies and wetlands. metroparks.net

8/5: Spot native summer wildflowers along 3 miles of trail during a visit to Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs. Located east of John Bryan State Park, this 268-acre preserve is home to one of the most significant limestone and dolomite gorges in the state. ohiodnr.gov

8/6: From its location at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers to its nearby trails to its local beer scene, Marietta is a must-visit summer stop. Plan your trip around the Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival, which invites visitors to paddle, hike, bike or run before enjoying tasty local brews. Aug. 6–9. rtafest.com

8/7: During World War II, Toledo produced more than 363,000 Jeeps, and certain models of the vehicle brand are still made in the city today. Celebrate that history at Toledo Jeep Fest, which features an all-Jeep parade, all-Jeep car show and historic Jeep display at Glass City Center. Aug. 7–9. toledojeepfest.com

8/8: Celebrate the wonderful and wild uses of herbs at Appalachian Herbfest in Wisteria. Learn more about different types of herbs and their benefits with the help of speakers and workshops. Plus, enjoy shopping from vendors and listening to local music. Aug. 6–9. wisteria.org/herbfest

8/9: You might have to do a double take at this festival in Twinsburg that celebrates twins and multiples. The Twins Days Festival has been a celebrated tradition since 1976 and is the largest annual gathering of twins in the world. Aug. 7–9. twinsdays.org

8/10: Catch the Foo Fighters as the group makes a stop at Cleveland’s Huntington Bank Field as part of its “Take Cover” tour. Formed by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, the band is considered one the biggest arena rock acts of the 21st century. huntingtonbankfield.com

8/11: Grab your lawn chairs and a picnic blanket and gather in Cincinnati’s Mount Storm Park for a performance from the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Get ready to laugh out loud as a comedy of errors unfolds in this Shakespeare in the Park rendition of “Much Ado About Nothing.” cincinnati-oh.gov 

8/12: The annually occurring Perseid meteor shower is one of the best meteor-viewing experiences in the United States, leaving clear streaks of light across the night sky. On a clear evening in mid-August, you can take in this awe-inspiring event from John Glenn Astronomy Park in Logan. Peak viewing: Aug. 12–13. jgap.info

8/13: Experience an authentic Italian tradition during Feast of the Assumption, held each year in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood. Enjoy performances from local bands, a solemn Mass followed by a procession on Saturday and plenty of Italian cuisine from local restaurants. Aug. 13–16. littleitalyfeast.com

8/14: Head to the Vinton County Fairgrounds to join like-minded cryptid enthusiasts at the Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival. Take part in fun competitions like the Squatch ’N Seek, Squatchy-Oke and a Bigfoot Beard Competition.
Aug. 14–15. hockinghillsbigfoot.com

8/15: The Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival got its start in 1966 to celebrate hometown hero Alexander Livingston, who pioneered the commercial tomato, immortalizing Reynoldsburg as the Birthplace of the Tomato. The festival also features the Tomato Wars and a spaghetti-eating contest. Aug. 13–15. reytomatofest.com

8/16: Hear one-of-a-kind musical performances during the Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival. This year welcomes longstanding act Phil Dirt and the Dozers, the nine-piece Forever Segar tribute band (Friday), as well as Knox County native Preston Cooper (Saturday). Aug. 14–16. mvmaf.org

8/17: As the largest beach along the Lake Erie shore, Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor is a great place to cool off as summer heats up. Spend a day lounging on the 35-acre beach or taking in the wildlife that calls this unique ecosystem home. ohiodnr.gov

8/18: Explore Ohio’s oldest continuously operating public market in Cincinnati. Since 1855, Findlay Market has offered a bustling farmers market atmosphere with vendors selling fresh produce, meats, cheese, fish, flowers, ethnic and artisanal foods and more. findlaymarket.org

8/19: Millions of years ago, Ohio was covered by massive glaciers that left deep gashes in the Earth’s surface as they moved. Today, visitors to Kelleys Island can see these marks at Glacial Grooves Geological Preserve. kelleysisland.com

8/20: High-octane energy comes to the Wood County Fairgrounds in Bowling Green for the PullTown National Tractor Pulling Championship. The world’s largest tractor- and truck-pulling event sees various trucks, semis and diesel vehicles compete in different competitions across the three-day event. Aug. 20–22.
pulltown.com

8/21: Returning for its second year, That Arena Rock Show brings a high-energy tribute to classic ’70s and ’80s rock ’n’ roll to Fraze Pavilion in Kettering. Rock out to musical acts paying tribute to Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC and more. fraze.com

8/22: Celebrate one of the longest-running balloon festivals in the country in Marysville during the All Ohio Balloon Festival. Join 30,000 attendees in watching hot air balloons take to the skies over central Ohio while enjoying food and beer vendors, live music, aerial entertainment and more. Aug. 21–22. allohioballoonfest.com

8/23: The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a force in worldwide conservation, working to spread awareness to preserve our planet’s ecosystems. In 2025, the zoo’s waterpark, Zoombezi Bay, unveiled its new Conservation Tower, a collection of three different exciting waterslides that help share the spirit of conservation. zoombezibay.com

8/24: Between 1827 and 1913, the Ohio & Erie Canal was a crucial mode of transportation for moving goods and people across the state. Today, the collective trails once traversed by mules towing canalboats serve walkers and bikers as the 101-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. ohioanderiecanalway.com

8/25: Famed sharpshooter Annie Oakley was born in Ohio, and her early life can be explored along the Annie Oakley Trail in Darke County. The nine stops include the site of her childhood home, her gravesite, and the Garst Museum and The National Annie Oakley Center in Greenville. visitdarkecounty.org

8/26: Toledo was the birthplace of the studio glass art movement. That history of creativity is embodied at the Toledo Museum of Art, where visitors can watch glassblowing demonstrations by professional glass artists during the afternoons, Wednesday through Sunday.
toledomuseum.org

8/27: Get ready to rally in Ironton for Thunder on the River. This thrilling event invites motorcycle enthusiasts to show off their bikes in a friendly, community-focused setting. Take part in the bike show, a kickoff ride, bike games and more.
thunderontheriver.net

8/28: Visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium after hours to see it lit up in an array of glowing Asian-style lanterns during the annual sum-mer Lantern Festival. Enjoy 70 sets of lanterns illuminating walkways and animal habitats, special performances, character meet-and-greets, animal encounters and more. Aug. 20–Oct. 25. columbuszoo.org

8/29: Some of Ohio’s best artisans and craftspeople gather at the Summer Hocking Hills Craft Show in Logan to display their one-of-a-kind creations. Stroll through a forest filled with vendor tents while perusing embroidery, woodcarvings, clothing, soaps, homemade foods and more. Aug. 29–30. thehockinghillscraftshow.com

8/30: Bring some gum to this stinky festival that celebrates a pungent yet flavorful bulb. The Cleveland Garlic Festival features local garlic growers, music, kids activities and plenty of garlic-infused foods, including garlic fries, garlic-grilled meats and even garlic ice cream made by Mitchell’s.
Aug. 29–30. clevelandgarlicfestival.org

8/31: Travel back to a simpler way of life and learn how early settlers lived by spending a day at Sauder Village in Archbold. Walk the 1920s Main Street or visit with artisans to learn about traditional trades like blacksmithing, weaving and woodworking. Even sign up for a class if you’re interested. saudervillage.org